Stroke and Turn Rules

Common Rules (all strokes)

A swimmer who leaves the water before completing the distance will be disqualified (DNF)

A swimmer may stop and stand on the bottom of the pool only in freestyle, however if the swimmer walks or pushes off from the bottom, they will be disqualified (DQ)

A swimmer may hang on to the lane rope only in freestyle, however if the swimmer pulls on the lane markers, they will be disqualified (DQ)

A swimmer may surface in the wrong lane without penalty, however, if the swimmer interferes with another swimmer they will be disqualified (DQ). A swimmer must complete the race in the correct lane.

For freestyle, backstroke and butterfly starts - the head must have broken the surface by the 15m mark after the start or turn.

Starts Rules General

Freestyle, Butterfly and Breaststroke

From the Blocks.

If the pool is not deep enough - in the water at the start end with one hand in contact with the side of the pool.

PARA and Master swimmers from on the blocks, beside the blocks, or in the water with one hand in contact with the end of the pool.

Backstroke

The swimmer is in the water facing the start end.

PARA swimmers must have their toes below the water surface at the start.

Freestyle Rules

Stroke

The swimmer may swim any style or combination – the stroke is judged as a freestyle stroke.

Some part of the swimmer must break the surface throughout the race.

Start and Turn

Some part of the head must have broken the surface by the 15m mark after the start or turn.

The swimmer must touch the end wall with some part of the body during the turn.

Backstroke Rules

Stroke and Finish

NO movement beyond 90 degree vertical

At the finish of the race the swimmer MUST touch the wall while on the back.

The body may be submerged at the touch.

Start and Turn

Any part of the body must have broken the surface by the 15m mark after the start or turn.

At the turn, the swimmer may touch on the back and MUST leave on the back…..OR…. the swimmer may roll onto the breast, use a CONTINUOUS single or double arm pull to initiate the turn

There is no infraction for kicking or lifting of the head during the continuous turn.

When executing the turn, there must be a touch of the wall with some part of the body. The swimmer must leave on their back.

On the back is defined as less then 90 degrees to the horizontal plane.

Breaststroke Rules

Stroke

Each stroke cycle must contain one pull and one kick in that order.

During each cycle some part of the swimmer’s head must break the surface of the water.

The elbows shall be under the water except for the final stroke before the turn, during the turn and for the final stroke at the finish

During each cycle some part of the head shall break the surface of the

The feet must be turned outward in the propulsive part of the kick

All movements of the arms are simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane.

Starts and Turns

After the start & each turn the swimmer may take one arm stroke completely back to the legs during which the swimmer may be submerged. A single butterfly kick is permitted during the first arm stroke, followed by a breaststroke kick.

After the start & each turn the head must break the surface of the water by the time the arms have reached the widest part of the second arm pull.

On the turn, the touch shall be a simultaneous two hand touch.

On the turn, the head may be submerged

PARA swimmers are NOT allowed to do a dolphin kick anywhere in the stroke.

Butterfly Rules

Stroke

Both arms must be brought forward together over the water and brought backward simultaneously throughout the race.

All up and down movements of the legs must be simultaneous.

The position of the legs or feet need not be on the same level, but they shall not alternate in relation to each other. Flutter kick is not allowed.

The Dolphin kick is the only legal kick, however PARA and MASTERS swimmers may use the breaststroke kick.

PARA Swimmers MUST recover their arms OVER the water.

PARA Swimmers shoulders MUST be in line with normal water.

Start and Turn

The swimmer is allowed to take no more than one arm pull while totally submerged. This must bring the swimmer to the surface.

There is no limit to the number of leg kicks allowed off the start and at each turn.

On the turn and finish, must make a two hand, simultaneous touch.

On the turn and finish, arms must be recovered over the water on the touch.

The head must have broken the surface by the 15m mark after the start or turn.